Vintage Kestrel

Kestrel
One from the past (1975). scanned off an Ektachrome transparency.
Interesting story behind this.. The nest was in a church bell tower, and you can see the fields way below through the small arch. I got permission off the vicar to do the photography.It was a vertical climb on a far from HSAW ladder ! Just in front of where the black board is at the bottom of the picture where the two wires holding the massive clock weights. They were obviously in the way, so every time I had a session I had to wind the clock up to get the weights out of the way ! It was hard believe me, and took about ten minutes. The other thing was, the clock was 3 foot behind my head and it went off every half hour.. The two bells were about two foot deep. In the end I had to wear old headphones.
I think all this helped as the birds were so used to noise and I ended up with a wonderful series. The other point of interest is this male feeding the chicks which does not happen too often. He usually passes food to the female. I had several shots of both parents together.
So there you are – the good old days. Frowned upon now of course but that’s the one advantage of being old and senile. !!

Mamiya 645. Wide angle lens !! Twin mecablitz heads on a single 402.
Scanned with home made copier with the Sigma 150 macro.
John Robinson

A very informative story about the shot John. It's a beauty. All I maybe able to capture this year is sparrows nesting in the office Nice one.

Fran

Thanks Fran
Strange but sometimes the stories and memories are worth more than the pictures !
JohnR

I was only 7 Nice work as always John..............

Very nice image and story John. You certainly put in the effort don't you !

Dave

John - the image is fantastic in its own right, but the story makes it very special. I hope you find more to share with us.

Both image and story are excellent John... not something I would do, I have an aversion to heights....

All the best and just to echo the sentiments looking forward to more, although I had gained my degree by then (just) I have not one image to show from that period....

Thanks all.
If people don't get bored I have some quite interesting vintage material. I,ll get scanning.
Cheers
JR

A great image John & a good story to go with it.
Get busy scanning

Lee

never get bored of your stuff John, old and new. Good story and great picture,

cheers

Colin

Thanks again.Forgot to mention that this bird was id'd from the ring number on the original. A bird from the same nest.
Even ringers go to church!
JR

Wow, great shot John shame there isn't more of this nowadays.

Awesome image John

Super image John

Andy...

Nice image, John - and a wonderful story. I also worked a kestrel nest that year, really must dig them out of the loft some time.

David